Registration

Pre-registration will only be accepted online using imAthlete.com. Those new to this site will love the features this registration portal provides including an up-to-the minute list of registered athletes. For your convenience, we have prepared a tutorial to guide you through the registration process.

Entry Fees

Half Marathon

January 1, 2015-April 30 - $45

May 1-September 30 - $50

October 1 - Race Day - $55

5K

January 1, 2015-April 30 - $25

May 1-September 30 - $30

October 1 - Race Day - $35

Refunds/Substitutions

There will be no refund of entry fees. You may receive a credit of 50% of your entry fee towards the 2016 race by going to the race site at www.IMAthlete.com and requesting a credit before October 7. Substitutions will be allowed with written permission (e-mail acceptable) of the person no longer running up until Friday, September 25, 2015.

Time Limit

There is a time limit of 3 hours to complete the half marathon.

Race Cap

Each race is capped at 600 participants (or 1,200 for the entire event).

Special awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers for Overall finishers and First place Masters (40 & Over) in each race.

Age group awards will go to the first, second and third male and female in the following age groups: 12 & Under, 13-15, 16-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34,35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 & Over. No double dipping!

Safety

For everyones safety no pets, no strollers, no baby joggers, no bikes, no in-line skates, no roller skates and no wheeled vehicles will be allowed on-course.

For the safety of all, in accordance with RRCA Guidelines (Road Runners Clubs of America), the use of headphones is discouraged.

Course

The half marathon and 5K courses are USATF certified. Both courses have been modified slightly for 2014. The half marathon will include a new loop in the first third of the race, which has eliminated the casino section in the final third of the race. Both races will finish with a lap around the track.

Both races will start in the parking lot at the Acquoni Expo Center and finish on the stadium track. The course will give runners a flavor of Cherokee through most of its communities. Except for one hill at mile 6, the half marathon course is mostly flat on paved roads.

There are six aid stations on the half marathon course, located approximately every two miles. The offerings at each stations are as follows:

Mile 2: Water

Mile 4: Water

Mile 6: Water, Gatorade (lemon-lime)

Mile 8: Water, Gatorade, Gu (tri berry & strawberry/banana)

Mile 10: Water, Gatorade, Gu, Pretzels, Flat Pepsi

Mile 12: Water, Gatorade, Pretzels, Flat Pepsi

There is one aid station on the 5K course serving water.

Click HERE to download the USATF certification certificate and map of the Half Marathon course.

Click HERE to download USATF certification certificate and map of the 5K course.

Following the race, all runners are invited inside the track infield for post race food and drink, door prize drawings and the awards ceremony.

Post Race Meal

The post race meal will be provided through collaboration between the Cherokee Choices program and Harrah's Culinary Department. Last year’s meal drew rave reviews from all participants and we look forward to another inspiring and tasty creation. As soon as the menu is determined, we will post it here.

The Native Cherokee Youth Gardeners is a youth development program that empowers teens through gardening and activities that encourage healthy choices and food values. The youth are paid a stipend to cultivate vegetables, herbs and flowers they sell, donate, cook and eat throughout the 8-week summer program. Click on the picture on the right column to see the video about this program.

Charity

Race proceeds will benefit the Madison Hornbuckle Children's Cancer Foundation serving children 17 and under with cancer in Jackson, Graham, Swain, and Haywood Counties. In 2014, over $18,000 was raised for this amazing organization.

Volunteer

Would you still like to be part of this great event but don't want to run? Volunteering is the perfect way to do that. We have spots available at Friday and Saturday registration and at the course aid stations. Please email greg@gloryhoundevents.com if you are interested in volunteering yourself or have a group that wants to staff one of our aid stations.

Directions

From Asheville, NC(approximately 1 hour) Take I-40 west to exit 27 (Great Smoky Mountains Expressway). Continue west on U.S. 74 past Waynesville, Sylva, and Dillsboro to exit 74, Cherokee. U.S.Hwy 441 will take you into Cherokee. Turn right on US Hwy 19. Turn left at second traffic light - Acquoni Road. The Acquoni Events Center is approximately .7 miles on the left.

From Knoxville, TN(approximately 2 hours) Take I-40 east into North Carolina to exit 27 (Great Smoky Mountains Expressway). Continue west on U.S. 74 beyond Waynesville, Sylva, and Dillsboro to exit 74, Cherokee. U.S. Hwy 441 will take you into Cherokee. Turn right on US Hwy. 19. Turn left at second traffic light - Acquoni Road. The Acquoni Events Center is approximately .7 miles on the left.

From Atlanta, GA(approximately 2.5 hours) Take I-85 north to I-985 which becomes U.S. 23 north, and eventually becomes U.S. 23/441 north. You will travel through the towns of Clayton, GA, Franklin, NC, and Dillsboro, NC. Just beyond Dillsboro, take U.S. 74 (Great Smoky Mountains Expressway) west to exit 74, Cherokee. U.S.Hwy 441 will take you into Cherokee. Turn right on US Hwy. 19. Turn left at second traffic light - Acquoni Road. The Acquoni Events Center is approximately .7 miles on the left.

Race Photographs

Follow these directions to download your image from the 2014 races HERE